Job 33:23

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:

Complete Jewish Bible:

"If there is for him an angel, a mediator, one among a thousand, who can vouch for the man's uprightness;

Berean Standard Bible:

Yet if there is a messenger on his side, one mediator in a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him,

American Standard Version:

If there be with him an angel, An interpreter, one among a thousand, To show unto man what is right for him;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

If there^{H3426} be a messenger^{H4397} with him, an interpreter^{H3887}, one^{H259} among a thousand^{H505}, to shew^{H5046} unto man^{H120} his uprightness^{H3476}:

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Job 33:23

Job 33:23 is part of the speech of Elihu, one of the characters in the Book of Job, which is a complex narrative that wrestles with the problem of suffering and the justice of God. The verse is situated within a larger discourse where Elihu is presenting his perspective on why the righteous suffer and how God communicates with humanity.

In this verse, Elihu introduces the concept of a "messenger" or "interpreter," who is described as "one among a thousand," indicating someone rare or special. This figure is responsible for showing man his "uprightness," which can be understood as guiding a person to understand their true moral and spiritual standing before God. The messenger's role is to bridge the gap between God and humans, helping to interpret God's ways and purposes, which are often beyond human comprehension.

The historical context of the Book of Job is somewhat uncertain, but it is generally considered one of the oldest books in the Bible, possibly written during the second millennium BCE. It reflects ancient Near Eastern thought and wisdom literature, which often explored theodicy—the vindication of divine justice in the face of evil and suffering.

The themes of Job 33:23 include divine communication, the rarity of spiritual insight, and the idea that God provides means for humans to understand their position relative to divine standards. Elihu suggests that if a person were to have such a messenger or interpreter, they would be able to see their own righteousness—or lack thereof—and potentially be restored to a right relationship with God. This speaks to the broader biblical theme of mediation between God and humanity, a concept that is fully realized in the New Testament with the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is seen as the ultimate intercessor and revealer of God's will.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3426
   There are 129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יֵשׁ
   Transliteration: yêsh
   Pronunciation: yaysh
   Description: perhaps from an unused root meaning to stand out, or exist; entity; used adverbially or as a copula for the substantive verb (הָיָה); there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection); (there) are, (he, it, shall, there, there may, there shall, there should) be, thou do, had, hast, (which) hath, (I, shalt, that) have, (he, it, there) is, substance, it (there) was, (there) were, ye will, thou wilt, wouldest.
   
2. Strong's Number: H4397
   There are 197 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֲלְאָךְ
   Transliteration: mălʼâk
   Pronunciation: mal-awk'
   Description: from an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher); ambassador, angel, king, messenger.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3887
   There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לוּץ
   Transliteration: lûwts
   Pronunciation: loots
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to make mouths at, i.e. to scoff; hence (from the effort to pronounce a foreign language) to interpret, or (generally) intercede; ambassador, have in derision, interpreter, make a mock, mocker, scorn(-er, -ful), teacher.
   
4. Strong's Number: H259
   There are 801 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶחָד
   Transliteration: ʼechâd
   Pronunciation: ekh-awd'
   Description: a numeral from אָחַד; properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first; a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together,
   
5. Strong's Number: H505
   There are 496 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶלֶף
   Transliteration: ʼeleph
   Pronunciation: eh'-lef
   Description: prop, the same as אֶלֶף; hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand; thousand.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5046
   There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָגַד
   Transliteration: nâgad
   Pronunciation: naw-gad'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain, praise; bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter.
   
7. Strong's Number: H120
   There are 581 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָדָם
   Transliteration: ʼâdâm
   Pronunciation: aw-dawm'
   Description: from אָדַם; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.); [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person.
   
8. Strong's Number: H3476
   There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יֹשֶׁר
   Transliteration: yôsher
   Pronunciation: yo'-sher
   Description: from יָשַׁר; the right; equity, meet, right, upright(-ness).